Philip Turner


Philip Turner Image
Former New Zealand Ambassador, Republic of Korea

Philip Turner has divided his career equally between the private and public sectors. He has had 20 years of experience as a diplomat for New Zealand with postings in Tokyo, Brussels and Seoul as well as Wellington. From 2018 to February 2023, he served as New Zealand Ambassador to the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

He has also spent 18 years working for leading New Zealand company Fonterra in China, Japan, the EU and New Zealand. He was based in Tokyo as Asia Regional Representative (2006-2008) and in Shanghai as Managing Director (President) China (2008-2012).

He has a Master of Arts, first class, in history from the University of Auckland. He speaks fluent Japanese and French, and some Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. He now lives in Tokyo.